On 30.08.2017 we payed a visit to the SBB workshops at Yverdon-les-Bains in Switzerland. Here the Swiss railways work on revitalising their iconic Re460 electric locomotives and make them fit for another twenty years of service. After three years, the modernization program has now reached its series production phase. Read more on Railcolornews.com.

Fresh after overhaul and modernization: SBB 460 031. Remarkable, the locomotive has no front number. Photo Michael Krahenbuhl

Bahnonline.ch brings more background information: Locomotive no. 031 is the seventh locomotive of its type that went through the full modernization program of the SBB 460 series (except for installing the new IGBT convertors as these are still in the test phase).

This means SBB has put six locomotives into service that have been modernized: 460 016, 027, 031, 084, 108 and 118. Unit 460 010 is the seventh loco that has been modernized, and the only one with new IGBTs. As these are not fully approved yet, the machine has no REV date yet.

A new promotional livery for SBB 460 065: Coop Pro Montagna. Soon on 31.03.2017 by Charles-André Flückiger.

Coop has released a time lapse video of the wrapping process:

Photo: Charles-André Flückiger

More than 1,5 year ago, a passenger train pulled by SBB 460 087 collided with a a RABe 514 series trainset at Rafz (CH). A few days later the machine was recovered and brought to the Yverdon-les-Bains workshops by truck.

On 03.10.2016, the same locomotive completed a test run from Yverdon-les-Bains to Neuchatel and back, shining as new. Michael Krahenbuhl was able to photograph the all red machine that day. The 460 087 now has the normal SBB livery again. When it crashed it had a green/red Rekarail promo livery. Remarkable is that the repaired 087 does not have the SBB livery applied to the 460s currently being modernized. Up front, the service number is again in the middle and no SBB vignette is applied.

Timeless beauty. It is hard to believe these locomotives were developed more than 25 years ago... The SBB Yverdon works have just released locomotive 460 118 (yep the machine with the highest number of its series, over 20 years old now!). This machine should be the 3rd prototype locomotive for the complete modernization program of the Re 460s. Update: the machine has no new convertors yet. (PB/LF)

Video: applying the stickers on SBB locomotive no. 460 079.

A train promoting a train, on a train website. SBB's Re 460 086 has a new promotional livery. Thank you Michael Goll for the image.

We have written several times about the SBB Re 460 modernization program. These machines are currently a complete overhaul including many technical upgrades. Several machines have passed the various steps of the program already, but none got the new IGBT convertors, one of the biggest adjustments of the program. Mistakenly we assumed 460 016 was the first to have the, but no, it is 460 010, right now 'under construction' at SBB's work shop in Yverdon-les-Bains. - Theo Stolz

On 08.04.2016, SBB and Mobiliar (insurance company) presented a new art-locomotive at the historic locomotive depot in Erstfeld/Uri. SBB 460 099-5 is now decorated with a collage of children drawings, that depict their vision for the future. Themes that are important to them. Thank Michael Krahenbuhl for the images.

Roll-in of the locomotive in Erstfeld:

#diemobiliar #Loktaufe #gottardo2016 pic.twitter.com/mH7sYVO77x

— Marcus Suenderhauf (@m_suenderhauf) April 8, 2016

Since 17.03.2016, SBB 460 044-1 has this new 'Mondaine' livery. The livery also refers to the opening of the Gotthard base tunnel. Mondaine produces watches and is partner of the opening event. Thank you Charles-André Flückiger and Sven Bärwinkel.

Several times we have reported about the SBB Re460 modernization program. But time has learned our news was not correct. Until now, no modernized locomotive of this type got the new IGBT convertors SBB wants to install. This means that 460 084 (2014) and 460 016 (2015) still have their old convertors, although we originally stated the 016 was the first that got them.

It takes more time to get a IGBT prototype running. According to the current planning, locomotive no.12 in the modernization program will be the first. This will be Re 460 010 "Löwenberg" that is already under construction at the Yverdon-les-Bains workshops.

Extra: SBB has published a video report about the modernization program in 2014:

A new Swiss 'Werbelok' was presented yesterday, promoting technology company ABB and Gottardo 2016 project. - Theo Stolz

The official ABB text about the event: The new Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the world, will be officially opened in June this year. A wide range of innovative and energy-efficient ABB technologies ensuring the power supply of the infrastructure and the ventilation are critical elements used in the new tunnel.

As a main partner of the project “Gottardo 2016” ABB is also supporting the celebrations surrounding the opening of this construction project of the century. To highlight this partnership, an ABB branded Lok 2000 will be running on the Swiss rail network from January 20th. Like other locomotives of the same type it will also be equipped with ABB drive packages and electrical equipment.

“This ABB branded locomotive also stands for ABB’s contribution of components installed for the implementation of this project of the century. The tunnel contains a broad range of ABB technologies,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer at the locomotive's christening in Geneva.

There will be several festivities in 2016: the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel in June, but also the 125 years of ABB in Switzerland. "With the motto 'On track to the future' in our anniversary year, the locomotive indicates how proud ABB is of its success story in rail transport and the long-standing partnership with SBB,” added Remo Lütolf, Country Manager ABB Switzerland.

A new Werbelok: SBB 460 028 'Siamo in viaggio / We are traveling' (Peider Trippi)

R3 Yverdon 01.12.2015; The R3 revision on SBB 460 016 has been completed. The overhaul includes [edit: almost a] full modernization of the locomotive, revision of all main parts, installing new electronics and of course a repaint. The livery did not change, only the white logos and numbers up front got a different place. SBB 460 084 was the first locomotive of this type to have the full treatment. [Edit: SBB plans to install new IGBT convertors in these locomotives, but 460 084 and 016 do not have them (yet). (Charles-André Flückiger / Theo Stolz)

Now this locomotive is looking sharp again: SBB 460 016: overhauled, modernized, repainted. It is the second locomotive of its series, we see, that has gone through the SBB modernization program. 460 084 was the prototype and was refurbished in 2014. (Charles-André Flückiger)

Yes Slovania has its Chiquita locomotive (SZ 541-101), but now the Swiss have one too. SBB 460 029-2 in a yellow banana livery.

The damaged locomotive from Rafz has arrived at Yverdon-les-Bains. The SBB 460 087-0 was transported over the road. On 20.02.205, the locomotive derailed in Rafz after a sideway collision with a RABe 514 series train set. - MS/TS

This morning, two passenger trains collided in Rafz, Switzerland. They both ran in the same direction, hit each other sideways, and one train derailed. One train driver was seriously injured and had to be freed from its locomotive by fire fighters.

A new livery for SBB 460 023-5 promoting the Hauseigentümer Verbands Schweiz (HEV). It was presented on 08.01.2015 at the Verkehrshaus in Luzern (CH). - PD SBB Re 460 (LOK2000)

Since 18.12.2014, the 460 084 is back in normal service. Its modifications will be thoroughly tested during 2015. Next year, more locomotives will be taken in by the SBB works in Yverdon-les-Bains for retrofitting. Unlike the 084, they will get new IGBT convertors too. When this modification will be approved in 2016, the series overhaul will commence. - PB SBB Re 460 (LOK2000)

Via CaboRuivoTV and Philippe Debuis SBB Re 460 (LOK2000)

Now we see that the first test runs with the fully revised 460 084 have started. The machine has received standard red SBB livery again, but with minor alterations. On its front there is now a small SBB logo right in the middle and the service number has moved to a place just above the right front light. - source SBB Re 460 (LOK2000)

There are 119 locomotives of the SBB Re460 type. SBB's workshops in Yverdon-les-Bains will execute the work on the electrics. The complete project will be completed in 2022.

A first prototype is scheduled to be ready at the end of 2015 and is already called in for the project. The body of Re 460 084-7, «Helvetia» is thoroughly examined, repaired, preserved and repainted. Inside the locomotive all components were removed and conserved. The 084 will leave Yverdon-les-Bains at the end of 2014, still without the new IGBT converters. These will be mounted in 2015. Afterwards the locomotive will be tested for one year. [edit: building in of the IGBT converters is postponed to a later moment]

The complete SBB press statement. SBB Re 460 (LOK2000)

It is hard to realize, but Re 460 series of the Swiss railways (SBB) is already more than twenty years in service. 119 locomotives, styled by Italian design agency Pininfarina and built by the Swiss industry (ABB/SLM), are still the back bone of IC services in the Alp country. The serie is still complete.

Now the SBB has announced the modernization plan for these 200 kph locomotives. The work shop of Yverdon-les-Bains will be responsible for the overhaul and upgrade of all machines, a process that will be completed by 2022.

The machines will get new, energy efficient power convertors. These will be water-cooled in stead of oil-cooled. Other improvements are the installment of a new compressor, a new fire detection system, a new transformator, new windscreen wipers and the drivers will get new seats and a new desk. The locomotive will cleaned on the inside and the outside. The locomotive body will checked and repainted.

One locomotive will be used as prototype for the modernization program. It will be ready in 2015.

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